Reagan did unmeasurable good to poor people and everyone else by growing the US and world economy. Bush Sr. threw it away so he could "govern" with the socialist beltway crowd. Newt and Kasich, though well-meaning, made a huge error. They were so afraid of the trickle-down tax cuts for the rich label that they changed from economic growth to "balanced budgets", obscuring the fact that it is growth, not tax increases, that balances budgets. Then Bush Jr. put forward a very modest tax cut plan, aimed at winning the election. He won, just barely, and deserves credit for his wisdom in picking a plan that would fly politically.
This is the moment of truth. If the president picks supply siders for Treasury and economic advisor, the Reagan revolution can begin again. If he picks beltway types, we will have years of slow growth and will be blamed for it at the polls. A strong economy would be the most powerful support for the war on terrorism. Please, Mr. President, bring on the growth economists! No country club Republicans! (end of rant)